Greens unveil health policy

The policy includes a national dental healthcare scheme to clear the backlog of 500,000 Australians waiting for dental procedures.

It also includes the appointment of a federal minister for mental health and a 1.5 per cent levy on junk food and alcohol advertising.

Senator Brown says the Greens would also ban junk food ads on television until after 9:30pm.

He says polling shows the move would be extremely popular with parents.

Senator Brown yesterday launched the Greens' election campaign in Canberra, along with a national advertising campaign targeting swinging voters.

He called on voters who were frustrated with the major parties to put their trust in the Greens at the upcoming election.

Senator Brown singled out their backing of the $42 billion stimulus package as a significant achievement in the last term of Government.

"We put that package through, saving hundreds of thousands of jobs and thousands of businesses from recession," he said.

Senator Brown said his party supported legalising gay marriage, better treatment of asylum seekers, no nuclear waste dumps, a national recycling program and debate on Australia's Afghanistan troop commitment.